Over the past century, Lake Garda has been increasingly affected by the introduction of several non-indigenous species. In early 2022, the identification of Dreissena bugensis (quagga mussel) marked the first record of a naturalized population in lakes south of the Alps. To investigate the colonization patterns of this invader and its potential interaction with the established invader D. polymorpha (zebra mussel), a comprehens...

Permanent ponds are key landscape units that supply various ecosystem services. Notably, the export of aquatic subsidies to land via emerging insects may significantly influence terrestrial food webs. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which enhance consumer fitness, are among the essential exported components. The patterns and drivers of dietary exports from ponds via insects remain poorly known, particularly at continental...

Periphyton is the dominant primary producer in mountain streams and sustains the higher trophic levels. While certain periphyton groups, particularly diatoms, have received extensive study, the comprehensive characterization of the entire community has been largely neglected. This study aims to investigate the temporal pattern of biofilm in mountain streams characterized by different water thermal regimes. A one-year quantitat...

Alpine and pre-alpine lotic ecosystems are often remote and not affected by humans, which makes them some of the world’s most pristine ecosystems. However, their status is often altered by the presence of reservoirs that are built to fulfill agricultural needs and hydroelectric demands. These reservoirs also disrupt stream continuity and alter the magnitude, timing, and frequency of natural flows. The present work assessed how...